Raleigh North Carolina News

Wake County saw minimal effects from Hurricane Helene last week, but that doesn’t mean schools in the state’s largest district aren’t interested in helping those affected by the storm in western North Carolina. One high school student in Raleigh took it upon herself to organize a donation drive that now involves about half of the high schools in Wake County. Libby O’Leary, a junior two-sport athlete at Athens Drive High School and a member of…

The before and after from Lake Lure shows how landmarks ended up destroyed during Hurricane Helene. Not one but two beloved bridges were swept away by the storm. On the road from Chimney Rock to Lake Lure, years of work and care transformed an abandoned bridge into a garden oasis. The Flowering Bridge was a destination for photographers and visitors to stop and soak in the amazing color. Helene turned that color to catastrophe. “Half of…

Breweries across North Carolina are working together to help support those devastated by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Brewers, including those at Rocky Mount Mills, began using their production facilities to package water for transportation west. “This is going to be a marathon, and we’re going to need everyone’s endurance to rebuild. But, NC craft beer is resilient, and together, brewery by brewery, we can provide critical relief to our WNC community,” said Lisa…

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the devastation in Avery County has left many residents without access to critical medical supplies, life-saving oxygen and healthcare services. The storm’s impact on infrastructure, with numerous roads blocked or collapsed, has created an urgent medical crisis for those isolated in the region. Canon Memorial Hospital, located in Newland, N.C., has been at the forefront of the response. Working in partnership with the Boone-based organization Samaritan’s Purse, the hospital…

Recovery efforts are ongoing Wednesday throughout western North Carolina following the devastating flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene. In Polk County, residents remain trapped in their homes, with an unknown number of fatalities reported, while government aid has just begun to arrive. Certain areas of the community have been completely wiped off the map and can only be accessed on foot. Despite being severely impacted by the storm, the town of Saluda continues to demonstrate…

Tropical Storm Helene has left a trail of devastation in the Black Mountain area, with severe flooding that has impacted entire communities. In Asheville, residents are now facing long journeys, traveling for hours by ATV and on foot just to reach the Garren Creek community. The destruction, as described by the local fire chief, is beyond words. Wade Wright, the longtime Garren Creek Fire Chief, has seen his community nearly wiped out. Despite the personal…

Falling trees and raging floods from Hurricane Helene killed more than 150 people when it struck Florida late last week and then plowed through the Southeast as one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history. People died in six states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Among them were first responders who perished in wind-ravaged and rain-soaked communities, often while trying to help others. Not all were human: An eastern Tennessee police…

Just minutes into the V-P debate, both candidates expressed their condolences to the thousands affected by Helene, especially those in western North Carolina. Officials at Beech Mountain have postponed the sale of season passes and are currently discussing whether the area will be able to open for the season. Meanwhile, many in our community are still desperately searching for missing family members and friends, as parts of western North Carolina remain cut off from the…

Currently, many people in the western part of the state remain unaccounted for as search and rescue teams work tirelessly. John Norwood considers himself a miracle survivor. Rescuers used a pulley system to bring him to safety over dangerous floodwaters, but his fiancée is still missing. Norwood had been inside a home in Marion, North Carolina, where severe damage occurred. The dramatic rescue, captured on cell phone video, unfolded as Hurricane Helene swept through McDowell…

By Louis Fernandez, WRAL Sports Raleigh, N.C. — After the NC State Wolfpack beat Northern Illinois on Saturday in Carter-Finley Stadium, Joy Hall did what you’d expect the mother of a football player to do: give her son, defensive lineman Davin Vann, a phone call. “I kind of called him to see how he was feeling, just check in with him,” Hall said. During that call, they spoke about Hurricane Helene and its impact on…

Helene’s devastation was widespread, reaching many western North Carolina communities, including the small town of Lansing in Ashe County. Residents on Tuesday told WRAL News the draw to living in a place like Ashe County is isolation from a fast pace of life. Those who live in Lansing said the isolation now feels more like an island, with community members banding together to help the many homes and businesses flooded by Helene. People are using…

Helene’s devastation was widespread, reaching many western North Carolina communities, including the small town of Lansing in Ashe County. Residents on Tuesday told WRAL News the draw to living in a place like Ashe County is the isolation from a fast pace of life. For those who live there, the isolation now feels more like an island, with community members banding together to help many businesses flooded by Helene. The flooding was so severe in Lansing…

Raleigh firefighters are among rescue crews from across the country heading to western North Carolina to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Task Force 8 is a search-and-rescue team from Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. The new group will spend at least a week in the town of Weaverville to help with rescues. “I feel comfortable saying this is the most significant in-state disaster our team has ever responded to,” said Raleigh Division Chief…

By Louis Fernandez, WRAL Sports NC State defensive lineman Davin Vann, with support from Wolfpack Athletics, is collecting supplies this week to assist those in need after Hurricane Helene impacted the western part of North Carolina, the school announced on Monday. According to the program, Vann spoke with NC State head coach Dave Doeren on Monday with the plan. “Really proud of and thankful for Davin and his family,” Doeren said in his weekly press…

Two correctional facilities in western North Carolina were evacuated Monday due to flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) relocated 400 inmates from the Western Correctional Center for Women in Swannanoa and the Black Mountain Substance Abuse Treatment Center for Women in Black Mountain. The evacuation decision was made based on the anticipated extended timeframe for restoring water and power to these facilities. All inmates were safely transferred…